Happy Thanksgiving!

It’s the most wonderful time of the year! I know that phrase mostly applies to days closer to Christmas, but I really believe the holiday spirit is at it’s fullest and most exciting the weekend of Thanksgiving. There are so many traditions of Thanksgiving that really exemplify the spirit of the season. And, it’s just getting us ready to celebrate the birth of Jesus and all the wonders we remember during Advent. This really is the most wonderful time of the year.

My family’s Thanksgiving was just lovely. My dear, sweet grandparents made the trip in from Philadelphia, and I am so happy to see them. They are such warm-hearted people and a wonderful example of love, commitment and faith for all of us. Our Thanksgiving ended up being a little bit different than expected. We were anticipating a small dinner for six, but when my mother found out that two of my dad’s friends were going to be alone on Thanksgiving, she insisted immediately that they must come eat with us. I admit, when I first heard this news, I was a little bit disappointed because I wanted to spend time with my family without having to entertain “guests.” Thanksgiving has always been a family holiday in our house. We celebrate and eat and clean up and watch football as a family. No cell phones, no errands, no computers. But my mom is truly an example of what this holiday is all about: sharing our blessings and opening our hearts and homes to those who are alone this time of year. She didn’t hesitate for a second to add three extra places at the Thanksgiving table (two friends and one of their aunt’s). She just sent my dad out for another bag of apples and a couple more potatoes. She didn’t think about how much harder she was going to have to work or what the rest of us would think. She immediately did what she knew was right—to share our Thanksgiving love with those who need it most.

On a lighter note, today Grammy, momma and I headed out for some Black Friday shopping. This has become a holiday tradition in our family, and no one was more excited than my grandmother. She comes with a list of gifts she needs to acquire, and we don’t stop until we have a package for every person on her list. We had such a fun day, and we even managed to find good parking spots and some yummy lunch in between.

Tonight, I’m heading out for dinner with some of my dearest friends from high school. We don’t get to see each other very often as we live in different cities (and different countries), but we always try to catch up over the holidays. Our group will be a little smaller tonight with only four of us, but I haven’t seen these ladies in so long, and I can’t wait to hear what they’ve been up to. I know we’ve had some big accomplishments this year, and I can’t wait to hear their stories. But, of course, we’ll miss the ladies who are traveling or too far from home to see us this Thanksgiving. I can’t wait to see them at Christmas!!!!

I better finish getting ready!

To our blessings,

Lia

Top 10 Things I’m Looking Forward to This Thanksgiving

1. Four hours of holiday tunes in the car on the way to Pittsburgh. (And great company, of course!)
2. Sleeping in!
3. Reading in front of the fire on my parents’ couch. Nothing is more relaxing.
4. Seeing my sweet grandparents.
5. Turkey, stuffing, potatoes, pumpkin bread, etc.
6. Holiday fun with M’s family. I don’t get to see them too often, but I love his big, crazy family.
7. Black Friday shopping with Grammy and Christmas shopping for everyone on her list!
8. Worship at my parents’ church. Something about it always reminds me of home. They have a wonderful young pastor who has breathed new live into their church. I love to hear him preach.
9. Catching up with high school girlfriends over coffee and dinner. I miss these girls so much, and it’s not too often when several of us are in the same place. We won’t be a complete group, and we’ll miss the ladies that aren’t with us, but I can’t wait to see their pretty faces! 
10. Being thankful. It’s the one day a year that we can devote ourselves totally to being humble. I think sometimes I need a reminder like Thanksgiving to take time out to count my blessings and exercise true gratitude.

To finding humility,

Lia

Two Weekend Recaps.

Happy Sunday evening! Since ABC has decided that American Music Awards are more important than my usual Sunday night TV, I’ve had plenty of time to clean up my apartment and get ready for the week. I’m heading back to Pittsburgh on Tuesday night, and I’m happy to be able to leave my apartment in good shape. I absolutely cannot WAIT to get home for Thanksgiving. Six beautiful days without work and filled with family, food and friends.

In the meantime, I’ve had two pretty fantastic weekends these past two weeks. Last weekend, I was blessed with a visit from my very dear bff from college. We had a great visit, and even though I’m loving having her back on the east coast, I still wish we lived in the same city (I can always dream, right?). Anyway, since Friday was a bank holiday, Molly came down Friday afternoon and we lounged around before enjoying a delicious Italian dinner in Georgetown. We came home and watched movies in bed for the rest of the night. It was a perfect Friday night. On Saturday, we made breakfast (and ate some Italian leftovers) while watching the rest of the Friday night movie and college football. The Penn State game was bittersweet with the sad situation that’s surrounded my alma mater for the past few weeks. As upset as I still am at the way the University handled this mess, I’m proud of the football team for supporting the victims in the way they did. I think it really helped for the students to come together for something as familiar as Penn State football.

On Saturday night we had dinner with two girlfriends at a delicious mezze place in Clarendon. After that, we (unexpectedly) headed out for some drinks and dancing. It was so much fun to have girl time with these ladies, and I was smiling the whole time. Sunday morning we had a delicious brunch and watched TV shows in bed until Molly had to leave. Despite having to do some serious work after she left, it was a perfect weekend, and I’m missing her so much!!

This weekend was much different, but lovely just the same. I volunteered at the Air and Space Museum with some co-workers; I had dinner with a great friend; I caught up with some coworkers while babysitting the most adorable baby girl; I had a yummy dinner with my college roommate; I cleaned and got ready for the week. I’m relaxed and ready to take on Monday!!

Only one day in the office this week and one client presentation (and 12 hours of driving) stand between me and Thanksgiving!!!

To Molly,

Lia

Good afternoon, friends!

For some reason, I always blog at night. I guess that makes sense. I mean, I work during the day, so I usually don’t have personal time on my computer until I get home. But today I’m blogging in the afternoon. It feels a little strange, but I’m in a good mood today, so I’m going with it!

I don’t have much to report, so I thought I’d give you all (like the three of you that are reading) an update on some things that have been going on in my blogging hiatus, as well as some updates on this weekend:

1. Yesterday, I drove all the way to Falls Church for a burrito. It’s not that far, but it seems a little ridiculous.
2. I really want new boots. I’ve been trying not to make many purchases because I’m trying to be more thrifty, but I really want boots. I might go shopping tonight.
3. I decided that I’m staying in my apartment. The property manager did come down a little in price (after my intense haggling), and it’s still a bit more than I want to be spending, but I love where I live. I’m going to stick it out one more year and re-evaluate the situation next year.
4. I’ve been struggling to wake up this week (what else is new, right??). I’m only in the office one day next week, but I’m contemplating going back to my early morning work-out strategy. Maybe doing something other than going to work first thing will entice me out from under the covers. Not likely though.
5. I have only had one caramel apple cider from Starbucks this season. That needs to change. Also, I bought the hot apple cider k-cups for my Keurig. They’re surprisingly good. I want one now.
6. I haven’t started any Christmas shopping. Nor do I really have any ideas.
7. Last night, I watched my DVR-ed episode of Regis’s final episode of Live with Regis and Kelly. I wasn’t expecting to be affected by it because I rarely get to see weekday morning TV, but I was bawling through the whole thing. I’m so bad at saying goodbye—even if it’s someone I didn’t know!
8. I spent four days in Boston last week for a work conference. I had never been to Boston, and I absolutely loved it. I wish my girlfriend Hannah was still living there so she could have taken me on a tour of the city, but I managed to find a couple lovely little places. The weather was perfect for walking and sitting by the water. I didn’t have too much free time, but I definitely want to go back again!

I think that’s all I’ve got for today. I’m getting ready to head over to a friend’s house for a homemade dinner; she’s so sweet! Hope all of you are enjoying a beautiful weekend!!

To almost Thanksgiving,

Lia

The Most Wonderful Time of the Year

It looks like I’ve been a bad girl at blogging. I didn’t mean to take such a long hiatus, but I feel like I’ve been in a run—in more ways than one. I’ve been in a work rut. I’ve been in a clothes rut. I’ve been in a personality rut. I just can’t seem to get out of this gutter. This seems like it’s been a theme for me this year. I’ve been trying constantly to improve my attitude both at work and at home.

It’s been an exhausting year. Between constant trips back and forth to Pittsburgh to see my family and M, working long hours and coming home to an empty home, it’s seemed like there’s not a whole lot to look forward to. Why should I be excited to go to work knowing that I’m going to be there for 12 hours and being bombarded with issues all day? Why should I look forward to heading home knowing that I’ll be reheating pasta from three nights ago and watching prime time TV alone on my couch? I know this sounds like a super-pity-party. You’re right. I just can’t get out of this rut.

However, this past Tuesday, I had a glimmer of hope. I was standing at the desk of a coworker, and we were chatting about plans for the holidays. Nothing special. And I realized that I wasn’t miserable. It was a five minute glimmer of hope. I was at work—nothing spectacular had happened—and I was happy! For this five minutes, I allowed myself to think about Christmas music, roasting turkey, sparkly tinsel and holiday cheer. This has always been my favorite time of year. Four weeks of magic and sparkle and surprises and lots of love. I think I need it more than ever this year. I need to pull myself out of this monotonous rut. I need to let the holiday happiness infiltrate me. I need to look forward to all of the fabulous moments that are to come. And there are a lot of them:

• Spending a cozy Thanksgiving with my family and grandparents
• Black Friday shopping with the most serious shopper (Grammy, of course)
• Christmas shopping
• Decorating for Christmas
• Holiday candles
• Christmas carols
• Holiday teas at work
• Christmas parties
• Advent and spending extra time with Jesus
• Late night Christmas Eve dinner
• Reading stories with Momma
• Waking up early on cold Christmas morning
• Festivities in Philadelphia with family
• A glittery New Years Eve party in Washington

With all of this joy, how could I not be filled with the holiday spirit? How could I not let love and joy and hope and happiness into my heart this season? The pastor at my parents’ church offered an interesting perspective on hope earlier this year. He was telling a story about a congregation that had been ravaged by an awful tornado that had killed several members and torn their sanctuary to the ground. The church members stood on the empty lawn and asked “How can we believe in God when all these awful things have happened to us? How can we go on with hope in our hears when He has taken everything from us.” The pastor (whose own daughter had been taken by the tornado) reminded the congregation that the answer was really quite simple. How could we NOT? When we have absolutely nothing or when we’re at the lowest of the low, we have no choice but to look to God to lift us up. When we are at our deepest point, we have no other option but to let our souls be saved. How great Thou art.

So this holiday season I’m letting my soul be saved. I’m letting in the songs and the twinkling lights and the warm holiday Starbucks drinks into my heart. I’m lighting candles and reading the Bible and singing carols at the top of my lungs. (And yes, I’m still listening to Jessica Simpson Christmas no matter how much all of you hate her rendition of “Little Drummer Boy” with Ms. Ashlee Simpson. Don’t hate.)

When I’m tired and stressed and not ready to get out of bed in the morning, I’m going to try to remind myself to say a little prayer and remember the short four weeks I have to enjoy the season.

Tis the season,

Lia